Who is this Jamin guy anyway?
I am the husband of one and the father of nine. I was created to sing, to worship, to encourage, and to be steady. I am the Owner & Executive Director of Trinity Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary Arts Center in Eastern Tennessee, and the President of Trinity Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on funding arts education and performance. I've been involved with four music projects in my life -- Hot Pink Turtle, Spin Radio, Stand Like Stone, and of course, Jamin Rathbun.

In 2013, I added my Twitter feed to this site (below). To view the old content, just scroll down past the Twitter timeline. To keep in the loop on new posts, thoughts, and updates, just follow me on Twitter using the button below. Thanks!

Malachi 3:10Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Testing God. I'm right in the middle of a God test in my life. Actually I may not be in the middle. For all I know, it may be more like the beginning or maybe (I can only hope) the end. = ) Regardless, I think this is a pretty big test, actually more for me than for God. I'm not even sure exactly what is being tested. I know what my expectation is but, as with many things in our walk with God, I'm not sure yet whether God will change things or whether He will change me. I'd like to think that my heart is already in the right place on this particular issue so... I'm anticipating the former but -- sometimes these things can surprise us, can't they? = )

I love these moments. I love being tested. I love the opportunity to see if I'm really up to the task. My current test is about faith. Can I trust God to do what He says he will do? So far, the answer is yes although I sense that I'm probably farther from the end of the test that I'd like to think. Ultimately, I believe God will be faithful. Ultimately, I believe that I will pass the test. That reminds me of a passage...

1 Corinthians 10:13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

This is a bit of a topic change but, I'm reminded of a "test" that I passed a few years ago... A different kind of test but, a test none-the-less. I remember this test, not because of how I felt about it but -- because of how those around me responded to my actions. Here's what happened...

At a concert several years ago, a group of fans were "moshing" toward he front of the stage. At one point, one man bumped solidly into another man, knocking him to the ground. The man who was knocked down quickly jumped to his feet, caught the eye of a third man (who had nothing to do with the incident) and went at him, believing that he was responsible for the initial contact. Observing the whole thing, I quickly stepped in, held the attacking man in place and let hiim know he was after the wrong guy. Within about 20 seconds, the bouncer arrived, helped to settle things down and -- everyone went back to enjoying the music.

Once things settled down, the bouncer quickly thanked me for helping to control the situation. The third man thanked me for preventing the beating he was about to receive and -- my friends applauded me for being willing to step into the middle of a fight and settle things down. One friend in particular, was really impressed that I was willing to step into the fray so quickly, without fear and without hesitation, to protect someone I didn't know and... To make sure the right thing happened. He mentioned that day several times over the next few years. Apparently, it really had an impact on him.

For me, the event, and the response of the people involved, affirmed something in me that I thought I already knew but... That had never been tested. I was the man. I was tough. I was strong. I was brave. I was willing to step up. I was able to defend. When push came to shove, I reacted the right way. The manly way. Without thinking, without consideration... I just did what needed to be done.

I know it may sound a bit silly and maybe a bit "macho" but -- that realization and the recognition of those other men was encouraging. It was a small test that I had passed. Proof of such the pudding... Pretty cool. = )

That reminds me of a quote from "Wild At Heart", a book I'm reading by John Eldredge.

In your life you are Williams Wallace. Who else could be? There is no other man who can replace you in your life, in the arena you've been called to. If you leave your place in the line, it will remain empty. No one else can be who you are meant to be. You are the hero in your story. Not a bit player, not an extra, but the main man.

What a great thought. We are the hero in our own story. No one else is going to step up. It's up to us to get the job done and pass the test. There's no doubt that you can do it. In fact, God has designed you specifically for the task. The question is will you?